[xylin6]

it would be great to have a list of which inexpensive headphones have headband assemblies which will work with grado size cups,these look as if they might work and they come in a variety of colors and the headband appears to be fairly plush/comfortable
 
http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Intone-HD850-Lightweight-Stretchable/dp/B00ZK7M628/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1446910048&sr=1-7&keywords=Sound+Intone+HD850+On-Ear+Lightweight+Stereo+Headphones+black
 
as for how well that headband assembly is constructed or how well the thin metal rods which go into the headphone cups fit and or would hold up  is anyone's guess.
 
also keep an eye on the forums here as well as ebay for used grado sr60's i've seen them sell for as little as $35-$50
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=grado%20sr60i&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684 and then if you just wanted the headband assembly you could sell the cups/drivers and cable here and probably make over half your investment back (just a thought).
 
i plan on using my Grado SR60i headband assembly/frame for now .my Magnim v6 drivers just left Chicago,the bacth 004 cups from Turbulent ship out on Monday and i should have my cable this week .i would love to one day be able to afford to really go all out and get the martin audio aluminum headband assembly or even their wooden headband assemblies as those are some of the most beautiful designs i've ever seen,but the cost is a bit prohibitive for me presently,though i'm certainly going to be starting to set aside funds just for that. http://www.martincustomaudio.com/p/sale-aluminum-gimbals-rodblocks.html
 
and this one...sigh WOW! https://www.flickr.com/photos/69278404@N07/sets/72157628906275587/
 
also found someone selling some very nice grado style wooden cups for only $50 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Grado-handcrafted-Plantation-Teak-Tone-Wood-Cups-/171991048834?hash=item280b772282:g:HkYAAOSw7hRWPRyA

 

[equedadoii]

  it would be great to have a list of which inexpensive headphones have headband assemblies which will work with grado size cups,these look as if they might work and they come in a variety of colors and the headband appears to be fairly plush/comfortable
 
http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Intone-HD850-Lightweight-Stretchable/dp/B00ZK7M628/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1446910048&sr=1-7&keywords=Sound+Intone+HD850+On-Ear+Lightweight+Stereo+Headphones+black
 
as for how well that headband assembly is constructed or how well the thin metal rods which go into the headphone cups fit and or would hold up  is anyone's guess.
 
also keep an eye on the forums here as well as ebay for used grado sr60's i've seen them sell for as little as $35-$50
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=grado%20sr60i&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684 and then if you just wanted the headband assembly you could sell the cups/drivers and cable here and probably make over half your investment back (just a thought).
 
i plan on using my Grado SR60i headband assembly/frame for now .my Magnim v6 drivers just left Chicago,the bacth 004 cups from Turbulent ship out on Monday and i should have my cable this week .i would love to one day be able to afford to really go all out and get the martin audio aluminum headband assembly or even their wooden headband assemblies as those are some of the most beautiful designs i've ever seen,but the cost is a bit prohibitive for me presently,though i'm certainly going to be starting to set aside funds just for that. http://www.martincustomaudio.com/p/sale-aluminum-gimbals-rodblocks.html
 
and this one...sigh WOW! https://www.flickr.com/photos/69278404@N07/sets/72157628906275587/
 
also found someone selling some very nice grado style wooden cups for only $50 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Grado-handcrafted-Plantation-Teak-Tone-Wood-Cups-/171991048834?hash=item280b772282:g:HkYAAOSw7hRWPRyA

 
damn.
for that price, i'd definitely snatch those if not for the pending 3d release.

 

[Synesis]

   
i believe the post Synesis meant to send you to was post #3452
as post 3621 (while being very informative and well worth reading) is all about the drivers and not the headband assembly or frame* as i refer to it
 
* the part of the headphone consisting of the headband + rod blocks +rods + gimbals.

Thanks xylin.  I meant post #3452.  I shouldn't try to post before my morning coffee.

 

[i-am-iron-man]

   
i believe the post Synesis meant to send you to was post #3452
as post 3621 (while being very informative and well worth reading) is all about the drivers and not the headband assembly or frame* as i refer to it
 
* the part of the headphone consisting of the headband + rod blocks +rods + gimbals.

Thanks buddy ... I've already got gimbals, rods and a leather outer. The only thing I need is the metal inner strip. I've got some fairly new SR80i;s, it seems a bit brutal to take a healthy pair of cans apart just for that one piece. I guess I need to hold out for some trashed SR60's on eBay.

 

[Synesis]

  it would be great to have a list of which inexpensive headphones have headband assemblies which will work with grado size cups,these look as if they might work and they come in a variety of colors and the headband appears to be fairly plush/comfortable
 
http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Intone-HD850-Lightweight-Stretchable/dp/B00ZK7M628/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1446910048&sr=1-7&keywords=Sound+Intone+HD850+On-Ear+Lightweight+Stereo+Headphones+black
 
 

These look like a potentially very low cost headband option, if they fit (or could be bent and adjusted to fit).
 
Another option I have looked at, but would need to verify the fit (and preferable buy used) is: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LFVSKRS/ref=s9_hps_bw_g23_i5 which apparently is the same as http://www.amazon.com/AUVIO-3301505-WOOD-HEADPHONES/dp/B00VKQGKZW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1446914882&sr=1-1&keywords=auvio+wood
The irony of the logo on the top of the Symphonized Headphone if used to house Symphones can't be missed 

 

 

[Synesis]

i would love to one day be able to afford to really go all out and get the martin audio aluminum headband assembly or even their wooden headband assemblies as those are some of the most beautiful designs i've ever seen,but the cost is a bit prohibitive for me presently,though i'm certainly going to be starting to set aside funds just for that. http://www.martincustomaudio.com/p/sale-aluminum-gimbals-rodblocks.html
 
and this one...sigh WOW! https://www.flickr.com/photos/69278404@N07/sets/72157628906275587/
 

Unfortunately, according to July 15, 2105 information at http://www.martincustomaudio.com/ Martin has taken a hiatus to focus on family and his job, and is currently offering only the aluminum rod/gimbals at this time .  While I certainly respect his excellent workmanship, reputation, and contribution to the headphone community, I respect his difficult decision to focus on these other priorities even more.

 

[fleasbaby]

  Unfortunately, according to July 15, 2105 information at http://www.martincustomaudio.com/ Martin has taken a hiatus to focus on family and his job, and is currently offering only the aluminum rod/gimbals at this time .  While I certainly respect his excellent workmanship, reputation, and contribution to the headphone community, I respect his difficult decision to focus on these other priorities even more.

Its no small feat to juggle a full time job, a family and custom orders for modding. His decision is not surprising.
 
For aluminium gimbals, you can also reach out to Gamja Labs on Facebook. They make a version of their own that is very respectable.

 

[Synesis]

  Are you sure the MDR7502 will fit the stock Grado cup, might be too small.
 
Vivitar DJ Mixers do fit
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NIZ88GC/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687682&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00NIZAUK4&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0SCSVDSDB6MB4NDA1KMQ

Sony MDR-V6 and Sony MDR-7506 share the same physical dimensions.  The MDR-7506 / MDR-V6 measures 2" (50.8 mm) in between the pins that insert into the cups.  The internal radius of the half-ring, within which the cup is mounted, measures 2-3/8" (60.325 mm). The ring and pins are moulded plastic.  The pins could be filed off slightly, but the plastic cannot be bent to shape, as t returns to its original shape.  So you would need to measure the cup carefully to make sure this headband would work, or have the cups machined to fit these dimensions.
 
 
The 5-Star Amazon review for the Vivitar option says "Only needed the headband for building a SennGrado headphone." 

 
 
(edited to correct model number to say MDR-7506 rather than MDR-7502)

 

[fleasbaby]

  Sony MDR-V6 and Sony MDR-7506 share the same physical dimensions.  The MDR-7502 / MDR-V6 measures 2" (50.8 mm) in between the pins that insert into the cups.  The internal radius of the half-ring, within which the cup is mounted, measures 2-3/8" (60.325 mm). The ring and pins are moulded plastic.  The pins could be filed off slightly, but the plastic cannot be bent to shape, as t returns to its original shape.  So you would need to measure the cup carefully to make sure this headband would work, or have the cups machined to fit these dimensions.
 
 
The 5-Star Amazon review for the Vivitar option says "Only needed the headband for building a SennGrado headphone." 

 
I use the MDR7502 a lot. They can actually be bent. You need to use a hair dryer to soften them though, and be careful not to over-do it. The downside for it is that you need to make your cups just a tiny bit smaller than the stock Grado width to accommodate it. The upside of it is its indestructible, light, classy-looking, and does not require the purchase of a leather pad.

 

[7keys]

 

  Are you sure the MDR7502 will fit the stock Grado cup, might be too small.
 
Vivitar DJ Mixers do fit
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NIZ88GC/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687682&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00NIZAUK4&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0SCSVDSDB6MB4NDA1KMQ

Sony MDR-V6 and Sony MDR-7506 share the same physical dimensions.  The MDR-7502 / MDR-V6 measures 2" (50.8 mm) in between the pins that insert into the cups.  The internal radius of the half-ring, within which the cup is mounted, measures 2-3/8" (60.325 mm). The ring and pins are moulded plastic.  The pins could be filed off slightly, but the plastic cannot be bent to shape, as t returns to its original shape.  So you would need to measure the cup carefully to make sure this headband would work, or have the cups machined to fit these dimensions.
 
 
The 5-Star Amazon review for the Vivitar option says "Only needed the headband for building a SennGrado headphone." 

I believe fleasbaby makes his 

 

  Sony MDR-V6 and Sony MDR-7506 share the same physical dimensions.  The MDR-7502 / MDR-V6 measures 2" (50.8 mm) in between the pins that insert into the cups.  The internal radius of the half-ring, within which the cup is mounted, measures 2-3/8" (60.325 mm). The ring and pins are moulded plastic.  The pins could be filed off slightly, but the plastic cannot be bent to shape, as t returns to its original shape.  So you would need to measure the cup carefully to make sure this headband would work, or have the cups machined to fit these dimensions.
 
 
The 5-Star Amazon review for the Vivitar option says "Only needed the headband for building a SennGrado headphone." 

 
I use the MDR7502 a lot. They can actually be bent. You need to use a hair dryer to soften them though, and be careful not to over-do it. The downside for it is that you need to make your cups just a tiny bit smaller than the stock Grado width to accommodate it. The upside of it is its indestructible, light, classy-looking, and does not require the purchase of a leather pad.

I've been using the MDR7506 for my builds for a couple of years now, I like look also and they seems to be better quality than the alternatives. I had a 7502 headband but it wouldn't fit my cups.

 

[Synesis]

   
I use the MDR7502 a lot. They can actually be bent. You need to use a hair dryer to soften them though, and be careful not to over-do it. The downside for it is that you need to make your cups just a tiny bit smaller than the stock Grado width to accommodate it. The upside of it is its indestructible, light, classy-looking, and does not require the purchase of a leather pad.

Thanks for info, fleasbaby.  Nothing speaks louder than experience. Didn't think about heating it, just knew the plastic had a memory.  I assume the 7502 and 7506 are same material and could be heated to modify slightly.
 
When purchased as a replacement part for about $20 the MDR-7506 is an excellent and cost-effective option.
 
Also you get that all important "Studio Monitor" designation on the headband which of course would immediately make the headphones sound better.  

  This term is almost as overused as "Tactical".   Maybe I'll get a custom headband made that says "Tactical Studio Monitor".  

 

 

[joeq70]

  Did you try any tape mods?

I tinkered with tape mods a while back with other Grados and Magnums but...while I know the Sunflower pads aren't winning any beauty contests, I'm just a tad too vain to use the taped bowls. The tape kinda ruins the premium look and feel of the phone plus the crinkle sound the tape makes when you move the phone drives me crazy haha.

 

[7keys]

 

  Did you try any tape mods?

I tinkered with tape mods a while back with other Grados and Magnums but...while I know the Sunflower pads aren't winning any beauty contests, I'm just a tad too vain to use the taped bowls. The tape kinda ruins the premium look and feel of the phone plus the crinkle sound the tape makes when you move the phone drives me crazy haha.

If you use leather instead of tape in can look great.

 

[joeq70]

  If you use leather instead of tape in can look great.

Ohh that does looks snazzy! How to you keep the leather on the pad?

 

[7keys]

 

  If you use leather instead of tape in can look great.

Ohh that does looks snazzy! How to you keep the leather on the pad?

I use Elmer's School glue stick....You can wash it out.